In the FCS Huddle: Southland Conference spring football notebook

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Southland Conference powers may need
to
take a look in the rear-view mirror.

Sam Houston State and Central Arkansas have clearly been the best two teams in
the Southland Conference the last two seasons - but both have suffered some
key
losses, which will aid McNeese State, Stephen F. Austin and Southeastern
Louisiana as they try to close the gap in the conference title race.

Sam Houston State has reached the last two FCS national championship games,
losing to North Dakota State, but last season it also lost to Central Arkansas
and shared the conference crown.

STORY LINES

Think opponents are tired of seeing Sam Houston State quarterback Brian Bell,
running back Timothy Flanders and wide receiver Richard Sincere? Well, they
have to deal with them again in which will remain a high-scoring offense.

Southeastern Louisiana struggled offensively last season despite posting its
best conference record (5-2) since joining in 2005. Coach Ron Roberts has
bolstered his lineup with many transfers.

Over the last two seasons, Stephen F. Austin quarterback Brady Attaway has
thrown for 6,852 yards and 56 touchdowns. He will be firing the ball all over
the field again, but as a senior, he needs to cut down on the interceptions
(43
over the last two seasons).

Central Arkansas' Wynrick Smothers is among the best quarterbacks in the FCS,
but the Bears are replacing last year's top two running backs and wide
receivers. Willie Matthews gets a crack in the backfield and wide receiver
Dezmin Lewis should build off an excellent 2012 season.

Northwestern State didn't quite get over the hump under coach Bradley Dale
Peveto. New coach Jay Thomas has opened up most of the positions to put
everybody on guard.

Nicholls has gone 0-7 in conference play in each of the past two seasons.
Coach
Charlie Stubbs is giving Beaux Hebert, son of former NFL quarterback Bobby
Hebert, a chance to win the signal-caller duties. Last year's starter, Landry
Klann, is the favorite to keep the job, but he's been turnover-plagued.

OH, YES, THEM AGAIN

McNeese State quarterback Cody Stroud has made 24 career starts and some of
the
young skills position players around him have grown up. It doesn't extend to
Stroud's offensive line, which is replacing four starters.

Stephen F. Austin safety Jordan Aubrey will no longer line up in the secondary
with his twin brother Josh, but he has been granted another season of
eligibility and will play a big role on the Lumberjacks' defense.

If you look at Central Arkansas defensive end Jonathan Woodard's production
last season, it's hard to believe he was only a freshman.

BREAKOUT PERFORMERS

The conference's impact player of the year could be Southeastern Louisiana
quarterback Bryan Bennett, who transferred in from the University of Oregon.

Kelvin Bennett's school-record 96-yard touchdown run in McNeese State's final
game last season was an indication of what opposing defenses are up against
this season.

Lamar lost its top two running backs, and sophomore Desmond Richards showed
flashes of excellence last season. He hopes to take over the starting role.

Stephen F. Austin running Gus Johnson broke out as the conference's second-
leading rusher and top scorer last season, but speedy Fred Ford is ready to
steal some of the thunder away this season.

POSITION BATTLES

Central Arkansas will replace an opening at cornerback with either sophomore
Dillion Winfrey or senior Dominique Brown.

Nicholls' Chris Bermond could take over at middle linebacker, replacing
Southland leading tackler Jordan Piper, as the Colonels fill three of their
four starters in the 3-4 defense.

Ryan Mossakowski and Caleb Berry both spent time as Lamar's starting
quarterback last season. Sophomore Dillon Barrett and incoming freshman Robert
Mitchell hope to have their say in the top job, too.

Junior college transfer Zack Adkins arrives in the summer and is expected to
challenge junior Don Canyon to be Northwestern State's starting quarterback.
But Canyon first must fend off redshirt freshman Daniel Hazlewood in the
spring.